There is a wide range of information available raising awareness of abuse and neglect and the different forms this may take. As well as advice on getting help, there is information about how to keep safe.
National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – a guide for parents
The NRM or National Referral Mechanism is a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and Modern Slavery.
Through this process it should ensure that victims receive support and their needs are recognised.
Modern Slavery Poster
Below is a poster that can be dowloaded and to be placed where it will get noticed in the public domain to raise awareness of Modern Slavery and the signs to look out for.
SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service for Deaf Adults and Children
SignHealth Domestic Abuse Service is a specialist service for Deaf adults and children who have experienced abuse. They are the only domestic abuse service in the UK that communicates with Deaf people directly, using a variety of communication methods, predominantly British Sign Language (BSL). Communicating in sign language means they are able to offer Deaf people the support and advice they need, in a language they can understand. Deaf people are often isolated from hearing people, as most people do not know sign language. See their leaflet below:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) scams – be extra vigilant
The HSAB has been made aware that Scammers are trying to take advantage of people’s worries and uncertainty about the pandemic, especially those who are alone, self-isolating or in financial difficulty within the Hampshire Area.
- The latest incident we have been made aware of is an older person being cold called from an individual claiming to be able to provide a COVID vaccine for a fee.
The NHS is the only organisation which has access to the vaccine, and will never ask for money. Medical or health professionals will not come to your home unannounced and without prior notification. If anyone attempts to force or coerce you into handing over funds – in person or otherwise – always contact the police.
Coronavirus-related scams include:
- Sales of fake products such as face masks, supplements, anti-virus kits and sanitisers, which may be harmful or simply never arrive
- Bogus healthcare workers who try to gain access to your home by claiming to offer testing for COVID-19
- People pretending to be from charities offering to do shopping or carry out cleansing tasks
- Emails asking for donations to the NHS.
The HSAB Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Hub has information on where to get help and find out more information on COVID-19: https://www.hampshiresab.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-public-and-professionals
The Herbert Protocol
The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves can fill in.
It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including:
- medication required
- mobile numbers
- places previously located
- a recent photograph
See more on the Hampshire Constabulary website.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney – Let’s Plan Ahead Campaign
Let’s Plan Ahead (LPA) is a multi-agency initiative hosted by the Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board, which aims to raise awareness and drive the uptake of Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. Click the link below to view the LPA pages:
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).
Guidance on how to make, register or end an LPA
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Lasting Power of Attorney Campaign
The Office of the Public Guardian’s (OPG) lasting power of attorney (LPA) campaign promotes the importance and benefits of making an LPA. The campaign also clears up some of the myths around LPAs. Click on the pictures below for full-sized versions of the campaign posters and leaflets.
Further information is available from the Office of the Public Guardian here:
Lasting Power of Attorney OPG Campaign
Blue Lamp Trust
The Blue Lamp Trust is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and enhancing community safety throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. All our profits support the work of the Bobby Scheme, a free service which provides practical home security and safety assistance to the elderly and vulnerable, helping them to feel safe in their homes. Charitable funds are raised through our range of road safety courses and taxi driver assessments with DVSA-approved assessors.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Self-isolation advice
Here are some things to think about if you are self isolating and you are offered, or need support during this time. Try to use existing and trusted community groups. If not, could a family member, friend or neighbour who you know and trust help? Not sure? Don’t answer the door. Coronavirus Hampshire Helpline: 0333 370 4000
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HSAB Coronavirus (COVID-19) Safeguarding Concerns Advice
The poster below provides information for people supporting vulnerable adults who are self-isolating, or being shielded, during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Connect to Support
Connect to Support Hampshire is an online information and advice guide and directory of services for adult residents in Hampshire to find information, advice and services to manage their own care and wellbeing. You can find out about local groups, activities and services within your community as well as formal care provision by clicking on the image below to go to the Connect to Support website.
Self Neglect
The Care Act Guidance advises that ‘self neglect’ covers a wide range of behaviour including neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. Research literature states the term ‘self-neglect’ is commonly used to refer to:
- Lack of self-care: in personal hygiene, in adhering to daily needs, in refusal of essential care or necessary medical treatment.
- Lack of care of the living environment: hoarding, squalor and infestation.
Hampshire and IOW 4LSAB Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy provides guidance on responding to self neglect and persistent welfare concerns here:
Guidance on responding to self neglect and persistent welfare concerns
What to do if you are concerned about someone who is experiencing abuse or neglect:
Telephone Hampshire Adult Services: 0300 555 1386
or out of hours: 0300 555 1373
Police: 101 or in an emergency 999
Click on the link below to view and/or download the Self Neglect posters in various sizes:
Buy with Confidence
Buy With Confidence is the only nationally available business approval scheme that’s 100% owned, controlled and operated by independent public sector bodies. Using a Buy with Confidence approved member is the best way to ensure a legal, honest and fair service if you need work doing around your home.
Financial Abuse and Scams: Guidance for Councillors, Directors, Managers and Social Work Practitioners
The NTS Scams Team are currently focussing on establishing a partnership with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to engage at a national level to improve local partnerships and operational delivery. Helping to raise awareness of abuse and improve safeguarding practices, ADASS, in partnership with the Local Government Association, Adult Principal Social Worker Network and National Trading Standards, has published guidance on financial abuse and scams, for Directors and people working in social care.
Top Tips – Financial Abuse and Scams
Fundraising Preference Service
The Fundraising Preference Service (FPS) is an official service that lets you stop charities contacting you. Further information and FAQs about the service can be found on the FPS website www.fundraisingpreference.org.uk.
Hampshire Police Direct Access Line
This registration only service designed to help people who find it difficult to use the 101 number because for example they:
- struggle to hold a telephone for a long time
- have a poor memory
- become easily confused, especially when stressed
- find it difficult to communicate
- struggle to understand people speaking too fast
The Direct Access Line reduces the amount of time you have to wait to speak with a call-taker. The person who answers your call will already have an understanding of your or your carer’s background. You can register important details and information with us in confidence, such as your next-of-kin, which may help us in an emergency.
Hampshire Police Direct Access Line
Third Party Reporting Centres
It is widely accepted that hate crimes are under reported. Not all victims are comfortable with reporting their experiences directly to the police. Possible reasons for this may include:
- Lack of awareness of ways to report hate crime
- Victims find visiting police stations intimidating or daunting
- Victims believe the police won’t believe them or take them seriously
- Individuals are unaware they are victims of hate crimes
- Lack of support to help victims make a report, e.g. interpreters
- Victims fear being outed in terms of their sexuality or disability
Third Party Reporting Centres (TPRCs) overcome these barriers by providing an alternative to directly reporting to the police, without which a number of hate incidents and crimes would never be reported or recorded.
Visit the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s webpage on Third Party Reporting Centres here:
Third Party Reporting Centres Poster:
Loneliness and Social Isolation Campaign 2019
Over 9 million people in the UK across all adult ages – more than the population of London – are either always or often lonely. Half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.
If you know someone is lonely or socially isolated, they may be vulnerable, or open to forms of abuse such as mate crime. There is help and resources available to them. The HSAB campaign for 2019 addresses loneliness and social isolation. For more information visit www.connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk or to report a concern please contact Hampshire Adults Health & Care on 0300 555 1386.
Click on the links below to view and/or download the posters for the 2019 Loneliness and Social Isolation Campaign:
Telephone Preference Service
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It is the official central opt out register on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so. Registration is FREE. Click below to find out more about this service and how it can help protects against unsolicited marketing calls.
Mail Preference Service
The Mail Preference Service (MPS) is free and funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from lists used by the industry. It is actively supported by the Royal Mail and all directly involved trade associations. Registering with the MPS is FREE. Click below to find out more about this service and how it can help protect against unsolicited direct mailings.
Making Money Matter
Making Money Matter provides vital information to people with a learning disability about consumer rights and includes useful tips on managing a budget and avoiding the pitfalls of debt. A resource pack is available comprising A DVD which features topics such as shopping, doorstep sales and credit cards. A booklet covering a wide range of subjects in more detail to assist anybody who supports a person with learning difficulties. Topics are covered in brief with helpful links to places to go for more information. Also included are a number of summaries providing information in an easier to read format. The pack has been produced in partnership between Trading Standards, Adult Services and other agencies. It is free to anyone in Hampshire. It can be obtained Trading Standards: Montgomery House, Monarch Way, Winchester SO22 5PW Tel: 01962 833640
Mate Crime
Mate crime occurs when a person is harmed or taken advantage of by someone they thought was their friend. Mate Crime can become a very serious form of abuse. In some cases victims of Mate Crime have been badly harmed or even killed. Surveys indicate that people with disabilities can often become the targets of this form of exploitation.
Different types of Mate Crime
- Theft/financial abuse – The abuser might demand or ask to be lent money and then not pay it back. The perpetrator might mis-use the property of the vulnerable adult.
- Physical assault/abuse – the abuser might hurt or injure the vulnerable adult.
- Harassment or emotional abuse – the abuser might manipulate, mis-lead and make the person feel worthless.
- Sexual assault/abuse – the abuser might harm or take advantage of the person sexually.
What to do if you think you or someone you know is a victim of Mate Crime?
Contact the police or Hampshire County Council Adult Services on 0300 555 1386.
If you would like advice about Mate Crime call the Hampshire County Council Safeguarding Helpline: 01962 847214 or email: adult.services@hants.gov.uk
Click on the link below for guidance on mate crime:
Click on the link below to view a presentation on mate crime developed for professionals:
Mate Crime Presentation developed for Professionals
Click on the link below to view a presentation on mate crime developed for service users:
Mate Crime Presentation developed for Service Users
Click on the link below to view the Mate Crime Poster in various sizes:
The video below is an extract from the play “Living Without Fear” by Blue Apple Theatre:
No Cold Calling Zones
No Cold Calling Zones help combat the problem of doorstep crime. They can deter unscrupulous cold callers from approaching people living in the zones, but more importantly, they can give people the confidence to say “No”. Whilst the zones do not ban cold callers or create exclusion zones, they can be useful in dealing with any unwelcome cold callers.
Safe and Well
Hampshire Fire Service Safe and Well is a Home Fire Safety visit that’s tailored to an individual’s needs, relating to their health and lifestyle choices. This is available to people with vulnerabilities that may indicate that they are at more risk of harm from fire. This visit is free of charge and will include a customer-made information pack, installation of new fire alarms and a check of existing fire alarms, issue of fire retardant bedding, furniture throws and nightwear and, if appropriate, a referral to other services for a professional assessment. To find out more visit the Hampshire Fire Service Safe and Well webpage.
Safe Car Wash App
The Safe Car Wash app is a new tool that will enable the largest community intelligence gathering exercise ever attempted in the United Kingdom.
Download the free app onto your smartphone. When you are using a hand car wash, simply open the app and complete a short survey about the working conditions of the car wash.
The app will ask a series of questions related to the indicators of modern slavery and if there is a high likelihood that modern slavery is occurring in the hand car wash, you will be asked to report your concerns to the Modern Slavery Helpline. The data the app collects will be anonymised and shared with the National Crime Agency and the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority, two law enforcement agencies who are leading on efforts to stamp out modern slavery across the UK.
Further information and a link to download the app can be found here:
https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash
Scams Advice
Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public’s concern and uncertainty over COVID-19. Friendsagainstscams.org.uk have produced a social media pack with information on how to protect yourself and others from Coronavirus scams.
Hampshire Constabulary has produced advice and guidance on scams during the COVID-19 crisis. The Scam Awareness flyer outlines some of the most common scams being seen at the moment. Please note these scams are evolving all the time so you may see different variations or new ones popping up which may not be included in this flyer. To keep up to date we recommend signing up to Hampshire Alert (www.hampshirealert.co.uk) and Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) for notifications.
CV19 Scam Awareness Flyer self print
Romance Fraud
Romance fraud occurs when you think you’ve met the perfect partner online but they are using a fake profile to form a relationship with you. You can meet them via an online dating website or app, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, or gaming sites. They gain your trust over a number of weeks or months and have you believe you are in a loving and caring relationship. However, the criminal’s end goal is only ever to get your money or personal information.
Between August 2019 and August 2020, 222 reports of romance fraud were made to Action Fraud by residents of Hampshire. The total reported loss in the same time period was £2million, equating to an average loss per victim of just over £9,000.
If you think you’ve been a victim of romance fraud or a romance-based scam contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via Action Fraud.
HSAB Financial Abuse Campaign 2017
Financial Abuse Leaflet A5 
Financial Abuse Leaflet A5 High Contrast
Financial Abuse Poster 1 A4 
Financial Abuse Poster 1 A4 High Contrast
Financial Abuse Poster 2 A4 
Financial Abuse Poster 2 A4 High Contrast
Financial Abuse Factsheet
Stop the Traffik
Below are a selection of resources from Stop the Traffik.
Suicide Helplines and Support Groups
The information sheet below provides useful links to helplines and support networks for people to talk to regarding mental health and suicidal feelings.
HSAB – Mental health and suicide helplines and support groups
Slingshot
